Tuesday Mailbag: Jim Wyatt Answers Questions From Titans Fans After the NFL Draft

NASHVILLE – The NFL Draft is now in the rear-view mirror.

Over the weekend, the Titans continued the roster-building process for the 2024 season with the addition of seven more players.

Before we go any further, congrats to Ray Thomson from Vinemont, Alabama, for correctly mocking JC Latham to the Titans in last week's mock draft roundup from Titans fans.

What's next?

Well, I expect more additions in free agency, and OTAs and minicamp are on the horizon.

And, of course, this Tuesday's Titans mailbag …

Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.

Tyrone Moore from Barstow, California
Question: Hello Jim: I was very satisfied with our draft. I know a lot of people in the media doesn't like our draft and says that we reached for T'Vondre Sweat and JC Latham. But I see a win-win with both players. I just want us to go sign (Justin) Simmons and get (Andrus) Pete and maybe another edge rusher. What are your thoughts?

Jim: Hey Tyrone. I liked the class myself. I think the team got three starters in Latham, Sweat and Cedric Gray, a tough and physical corner to who can help in Jarvis Brownlee and a potential returner in Jha'Quan Jackson. James Williams and Jaylen Harrell will try to find a role, and they're talented players with potential. We'll see what happens with other spots in free agency.

Kenneth Woods from Magnolia, Texas
Question: Hello Jim. How have you been? I know one thing you have been very busy I'm an old Oilers fan my questions are these with the new coaching staff that Amy hired, do you think the offensive line can now protect Levis the way he needs to? Because if he just had a little more time last year he would have made bigger plays and with the new additions through free agency and through the draft most of the holes I believe have been filled, do you think that if Will can read his Progressions he will have a much better year and he has plenty of weapons now and they can't load the box because we don't have Henry now and so they have to respect those backs because any one of them can go take to the house at any time. What do you think about this? Thank you!

Jim: Hey Kenneth. Been doing, well, thanks. Busy, but good. The o-line should be better, I have no doubts about that. The team hired one of the best o-line coaches out there in Bill Callahan, signed one of the top centers in free agency in Lloyd Cushenberry, and then drafted a really talented player in JC Latham. Leroy Watson IV is a guy the team sought out, along with Saahdiq Charles. I believe Peter Skoronski will be even better in Year 2 as well. So, some key pieces are in place for the unit to make strides. But, it's going to take some work. The guys have to build chemistry, and stay healthy, and play well.

Neil Carr from Bingley, United Kingdom
Question: I'm probably asking the same question as a thousand other people BUT in your opinion, who excites you most of our draft class this year? Also, if so many (so called experts) draft boards had Sweat as a 3rd round pick, why did we reach into the top of the 2nd for him? Would we have been better grabbing someone who was predicted to be a 2nd rounder, or are you happy.

Jim: JC Latham, because I think he's really good and I've been able to spend a little time with him and really like him. He's a smart, very mature young man. Also, I don't think the Titans "reached" for Sweat as much as some of the "experts" say. That's one of the biggest problem with the draft – the "experts" have opinions/grades on players before the draft that might be different from what teams think. Then, when some of these guys are picked, folks are reacting to what the so-called experts think. The experts make mistakes, and, so do teams. We'll all have to wait and see how certain players, and hot takes, pan out. I remember doing this mailbag in 2016 and some folks were complaining about the Derrick Henry pick in the second round …

Beau Siddens from Covington, Indiana
Question: Hey Jim. Hope Detroit treated you well. What an exciting draft! Carthon and Co. are really cooking. I can't wait to see this group compete! As heartbroken as it was when they let Vrabes go....I believe the changes we've seen since, are strategic and exciting.
I watched the post-draft presser and Ran let the cat out of the bag on being down a TE. As of 10:25p EST Saturday, there isn't a trace of news about it. Can you please share the details? Possible trade? Hopefully we go get Higgins.
Wish you well man.

Jim: Detroit was great. The city killed the draft, I hung out with Jelly Roll, ate at Mom's Spaghetti, and ran into a lot of great Titans fans on the streets of the Motor City. I loved it.
A few quick answers: The tight end Ran was referring to is an undrafted free agent – the team won't announce the UDFAs until they come in and pass a physical, during the rookie camp the weekend after next. Also, give up on the Tee Higgins dream. He's not coming to Tennessee this year.

Josh Bomar from Knoxville, Tennessee
Question: Wow! Ran sure did a good job bluffing all off season by constantly stating that they were looking to add speed to the Roster!! He sure fooled us. Maybe it was just a trick to fool other teams in the draft?? I doubt it. I really loved being able to get Isaiah Wilson, I mean T'Vondre Sweat, with the 38th overall pick. He will surely add speed to the team. I especially enjoyed watching us grab Sweat over guys like Cooper DeJean and watching him go to the Eagles, or Adonai Mitchell who went to the Colts. In no way did this feel like a Jon Robinson draft...... Not.. One..Bit..

Jim: The Titans got speed in free agency. The biggest priority on the first two days of the draft was to add bulk to the offensive/defensive line, and the team did that. … Cooper DeJean is a good player, but I'm not sure a whole lot of folks would've celebrated that pick in here aside from you and Will Compton, Josh.

Dan Baird from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: 700+ lbs of lineman with 2 picks! Can't coach up size.
I was one who hoped we'd pick Bowers and was very pleased when he went to the Raiders (aka, not the Colts, not twice a year). Hopefully Chig gets more action.
I'd like to see Levis stay upright and get a year where we see him avoid panic mode more often.
And a real nose guard for the line. Something we needed badly. Hopefully Simmons now has help.
Who is our special teams coach? We need a good one. Don't need Stonehouse injured again.
Exciting times in Titan-land!

Jim: Good to hear from you Dan. Colt Anderson is the team's new special teams coach.

Noah Richter from Concord, North Carolina
Question: Jim I LOVE the JC Latham pick. He's just what we need and I can't wait to see what Bill Callahan can do with this o-line. Ran and Brian are setting up Levis for success. TITANUP!!!

Jim: Thanks for chiming in, Noah.

Donley Canary from Raymore, Missouri
Question: Well Jim. It appears that the Titans have done it, again! Maybe we can hire an outside firm to draft for us. Granted, Joe Alt was gone but we reached for JT Latham at 7. Could have traded back 2 or 3 spots and still grabbed him and gotten an extra pick or two. But, hopefully Latham will work out with hard work and training. BUT THEN, we reach and take T'Vondre Sweat an overweight, immature, 380 pound soft, DUI convicted half-a*& player. Did Titan management learn nothing from drafting Isiah Wilson, Caleb Farley, Treylon Burks, Dillion Radunz and others? You have to hit on 1st and 2nd round picks in this league. The Titans seem to think they KNOW SOMETHING no one else does and draft busts. Sweat was picked 60 - 90 spots higher than any service rated him. Character does count and apparently it does not with our organization. A great off-season has been completely destroyed by a terrible front end draft. I wrote and vigorously complained about the stupid selections in 2020, 2021 and 2022. They all came to fruition as bad! This one will too and we will be dead last in the AFC South in 2024! Mark my words, JIM

Jim: Cheer up, Donley.

Don Jones from Mount Juliet, Tennessee
Question: For all of those "critics" and graders of draft picks that are dumping on T'Vondre and his DWI and weight issues: It wasn't that long ago that Jeffrey Simmons was drafted with ALL kinds of red flags. But he has become one of the very best in the league. And what a perfect mentor he will be to this young player. An "F" from Sports Illustrated. Give me a break. An All-American and Outland Trophy winner. Some folks should have their keyboards taken away from them.

Jim: This is true, Don.

Rodney Dixon from Richmond, California
Question: Good afternoon Jim. Well, the draft come and gone and the Titans selected for need rather than splash, and I am good with it. I say let the FOOTBALL people do their job and I think they did just that. The first two picks (Latham and Sweat) filled massive needs and the rest of their picks have high upside. Ran Carthon and Chad Brinker had many years of picking gems later in the draft with their former franchises so I don't think that it will be any different with the Titans. This is their team! The new regime of coaches and leadership that this team has in place has all of the makings of a successful franchise with sustainable success! They are cooking! Titan Up!

Jim: Time will tell, Rodney. Thanks for weighing in.

Hector Hernandez from Teziutlan, Puebla; Mexico
Question: Que tal Jim buena noche, un gusto saludarte solo para comentar que estoy satisfecho con las elecciones del draft pasado, se fue Alt en la 5 pero Latham me convence Sweat era uno de los jugadores que quer�a ver vestido de los dos tonos azules y asi sera, esperamos que no tenga otro problema de indisciplina y se concentre en el juego, muy buena la selecci�n del CB en general buen draft. Solo un detalle muy grande porque no seleccionaron al TE Bowers entiendo que tenemos necesidades por cubrir en OL, LB, WR, pero Bowers el mejor en su posici�n, pero repito el HC Callahan y Ran son los saben que quieren para el equipo. Mi calificaci�n del draft es A. TITAN UP!!

Jim: ¡Esa es una gran nota, Héctor! Sé que mucha gente por aquí espera que tengas razón. Bowers hubiera sido una gran incorporación, pero sé que muchos equipos piensan lo mismo. Los Titans necesitan desesperadamente ayuda en el tackle y Latham será una buena persona. Que tengas una buena semana.

Jeremy Rodriguez from Winchester, California
Question: Happy Post Draft Time Jim! I am really happy with the players Ran selected. An OT that will help, DL that will take some stress off Simmons. I know it is not the flashy players nor Bowers but it was a solid draft class. Cant wait to have them all in the building and getting ready for OTAs. Being a life long Longhorn Fan and watching Sweat play, I know he needs to shed about 20lbs to get to the player he wants to be. I know #98 will help get him there. Thanks for all the great coverage! As always TITAN UP!!!

Jim: Appreciate it, Jeremy. It's grillin' time!

Daniel Andrews from Henderson, Nevada
Question: What is the plan for Latham is he the day 1 starter at right tackle, or are the Titans planning to move him over to the left side? Any chance Skoronski gets moved over to left tackle?

Jim: Ran Carthon said the plan is for Latham to start out competing at left tackle. Skoronski is staying at guard.

Carlton Crutchfield from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: When will we play Detroit this Fall in Detroit, and who are the current (undrafted) free agents that have been brought in at this point especially as the draft ends.

Jim: Hey Carlton. The NFL schedule comes out on May 9, so we'll know then. I expect the team's list of undrafted free agents to officially be released the following day, when those players report for rookie minicamp.

Have a great week everyone!